While applying the brakes in an attempt to stop at a red light, the truck started to slowdown in a normal fashion. Just before coming to a complete stop, the brake pedal proceeded to the floorboard. At that moment, and not before, a warning light came on and a system message was displayed saying to service the brake system. The vehicle rolled to a stop without further incident. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop to repair a hole found in a rusted brake line.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes complaints
Page 10 of 15: complaints 251 to 280 of 429, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving 45 MPH coming up to a stop light I applied the brakes and they felt fine then all the sudden the pedal went to the floor and I didn't have any brakes what's so ever. I tried applying the brakes again and they went to there floor again and was not stopping. I was able to get the vehicle stopped by down shifting the truck and applied the emergency brake. Once I was able to see what the problem was there was a hole in the brake line on the drivers side back brakes where the main line coming from the ABS go to the connections on the back brake. The hole was two inches above the connection. The brake line rusted out and a hole started. After looking at the brake lines they all appear to be rusting. This could of caused a bad accident or even someone's life. This is a major problem and chevy will not do anything about it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while parked, brake fluid leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 39,882 and the current mileage was 39,892.
Was attempting to back vehicle and camper trailer down inclined driveway when suddenly the brake pedal went completely to the floor and I had absolute minimum braking force. Was able to stop vehicle before it and trailer went over the hill, (an approximate 15 - 20 foot drop if it had occurred). Upon inspection I found brake fluid on the driveway. Upon further inspection I discovered that a brake line leading from the master cylinder to the ABS controller was leaking. Upon further inspection I found that all the brake lines were severely corroded and ready to fail. I cannot believe how much rust is present on the brake lines and the fuel lines. This appears to be a major accident waiting to happen.
When coming to a stop at slow speeds ABS comes on and feels like truck will not stop. It happens quite often. Abs lite does not come on.
I was pulling out of a convenience store parking lot when my brake pedal depressed straight to the floor. The truck immediately started showing brake failure warnings. I coasted to a local mechanics and my brake lines had rusted out. I had to have the entire brake line system rewired with non-corrosive material. He told me this is a very common issue on these vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the brake pedal was abnormally depressed into the floorboard. The contact had to coast to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised that the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that all of the brake lines from the front of the vehicle to the rear were replaced. The failure and the current mileages were 34,925.
I parked my truck at a restaurant parking lot no problem. We finished eating, started truck, pushed on brake to put in reverse and pedal went to the floor, no brakes or resistance. Inspection revealed no signs of leaks. Lines were extremely rusted and eventually a small leak was found in the front driver wheel well area. Upon research this is an extremely known issue. As a chevy owner I was never contacted about this issue. Luckily no accident occurred but it easily could have as we were on our way home about 30 miles on a 65 MPH highway. Please advise as to what remedies are being offered. This could be a deadly problem. Thanks.
Traveling on expressway at 65 MPH. Cut off by another driver shifting into my traffic lane. Had to hit my brakes hard. Rear brake line failed. Brake pedal went to the floor. Had to drive off the road and into the grass median to avoid accident. Upon inspection, all brake lines are severely corroded.
On a down hill road , a car pulled out in front of my truck and I went to apply brake and pedal went all the way to floor. No pressure felt and I immediately pushed emergency brake and avoided collision. I had 50% of brake fluid in master cyl. And fluid dripping on ground under truck at brake distribution . Antilock controller w/flash lite on. Rear line dripping also. Had car towed to mechanic. Had all newbrake lines installed. This is a major problem.
I started drivin when my brake warning came on. I went to apply the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I took my truck to a mechanic shop and he advised me the brake line rusted through and he couldn't order a replacement because there was other problems like mine.
Brake line rusted.
Brake line rusted through and sprung leak which resulted in no brakes (to the floor) even with pumping brakes there was little braking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the brake was depressed, the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake fluid was leaking due to corroded and broken brake lines. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 103,823.
Severe corrosion on all steel brake lines - very close to rusting through at left rear caliper to axle mount and along side rail of frame.
I was slowing in traffic to stop at a red traffic light. The brake pedal went to the floor when applied. I passed the red light and my truck came to a stop in the intersection when I through it into park and applied emergency brake. I narrowly missed a motorcyclist that was legally passing through the intersection. The brake lines are corroded. This requires a recall. This is the second time this has happened.
Coming to a stop at the bottom of a hill and the brake pedal went to the floor, was able to roll to stop before I went through the intersection. Made it to a repair shop barely, this could have been a lot worse. Mechanic fix the one that broke but said the others are about to go any time . Now I'm driving with the fear of my brakes going at any time because of $900.00 repair that is needed.
The under side of truck is rusting out. All the calipers, brake lines, and fuel lines are rusted badly. I have had to replace two brake lines already. Also the frame is rusted.
The brakes failed because the brake lines to the front wheels rotted and burst. All the brake lines are rotted.
Was driving about 35mph, and went to stop at a stop sign. Brake pedal went to the floor. I had no warning that the brakes were malfunctioning. The brake warning light went on after the brakes failed. *tr went under the truck, and noticed all brake lines are corroded. In the process of calling a mechanic to fix the lines. But went online to see if there is a recall, noticed many complaints about this problem. Very lucky only person on road, and did not injure myself or others.
Going down driveway and brakes felt weak. Pushed harder on brake pedal and it went to the floor with little residual braking capability left. Stopped vehicle with parking brake. Upon inspection, noted that the brake line had ruptured along the drivers front wheel well from excessive corrosion. Further inspection of the brake lines elsewhere on the vehicle showed corrosion on all brake lines that will necessitate replacement of all the hard formed brake lines for safety reasons. Also noted that the brake fluid sprayed directly onto the left catalytic converter. If the vehicle had been fully warmed up, there would probably have been a fire. If this had occurred in traffic, the vehicle could not have been stopped quickly enough to prevent an accident.
We where driving along a state route with our 21 foot boat in tow heading to the lke. We went to slow down to enter a gas station. Pedal went to mush, and I knew I had lost the rear brake line on my truck. Got it stopped with out incident, and got it towed back home. The stream of brake fluid would tell me I could only stopped it one or two more times. The corrison is right where the bed and the cab meet onto of the frame rail. You can ad mine to the ever growing list of people having this issue. Thank you.
I was driving back home from charleston sc on hwy 526 going to issle of palms sc when I put on brakes to slow down for another car in front of me,and the brakes didn't feel right by the pedal went to floor. I stopped and saw the brake reservoir was out of fluid. I refilled the tank and continued on my way. The brakes were still spongie, and when I got home by driving a lot slower. I made it home and found out,the brake line going to the passenger wheel was coroded and ruptured,making it to leak and affect the stopping ability of the vechile. It was good that I didn't have to stop suddenly or I would have been in an accident.
Upon starting the vehicle and depressing the brakes, the brakes went to the floor. Upon inspection from a mechanic, it was noted that both brake lines were rotted (one was rotted all the way through causing the fluid to leak from the line). We were also told that the gas line and caliper had severe rotting. Upon my research, this seems to be a very common problem with chevrolet trucks. I hope this will be resolved so additional chevrolet owners do not have severe accidents due to these issues. My husband and 4 year old son had to walk quite a few miles in 95 degree weather! This is a safety issue and I hope my complaint will help further the investigation. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado k1500. The contact was traveling between 5 and 10 MPH when the brakes were depressed but the vehicle failed to stop properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times. The dealer stated that the antilock brake system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.
While driving on my way home my brakes went to the floor and I almost hit another car. I was almost home and was able to get into the driveway. Under the truck there was brake fluid spraying out and the lines are rusted out. I am going to have to replace all my brake lines because they are rusted every where. The frame also has rust every where. I am taking pictures of under the truck.
While driving at approximately 15 MPH I applied the brakes to stop and the brake pedal went to the floor. I immediately used the emergency brake to stop. I was right around the corner from my residence so I drove the truck back home using the emergency brake to stop. When I got home I checked the brake master cylinder and the fluid was low. I refilled the master cylinder and had my son pump the brakes as I was under the truck looking for any visible fluid leaks. All of the brake lines were severely corroded and the drivers side rear brake line had ruptured near the frame rail. After repairing the brake line at the point of rupture we re-filled the master cylinder and began to bleed the brakes and the brake line ruptured again at a point under the drivers front seat.
Since day 1 with this vehicle the brakes have been noticeably weak. In emergency stop situations or near emergency stop situations requiring a quick stop when I am standing with full pressure on the brake pedal, this vehicle fails to respond as expected. It's as if only half the brakes are working as the vehicle eases to a stop only slightly better than normal braking.
My wife and I were commuting to work the morning of 4/6/2012. A car in front of us put their blinker on to turn left...I applied the brake and to my surprise the brakes failed!! There was absolutely no warning that there was a problem and with the low miles of the truck and being the original owner I knew that proper maintenance of this vehicle has been done. By the grace of god I was able to barely miss hitting this vehicle at a speed of 45mph. If the car had to have come to a complete stop I would have no doubt plowed into the rear of the car with more than likely resulting in very serious injuries. After the incident and taking the truck to the garage I have learned that this is somewhat becoming a common occurrence with certain gm vehicles produced between 1999 and 2003. This must be made public before more incidents happen resulting in injuries and fatalities taking place!!
As I approached a dangerous intersection between two heavily traveled roads, I applied my foot to the brake as usual. Suddenly the brakes failed completely, the pedal went all the way to the floor with no braking action. Fortunately the other car approaching the intersection was able to slow down in time to avoid a collision as I applied my emergency brake. But it was a very close call. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest gm dealer where the service department determined the brake linings were corroded and rusted through. When I searched the internet to see if similar incidents had occurred, I found many dozens of examples. (see link below) the use of an inferior alloy instead of stainless steel for the brake lines has resulted in corrosion and total brake failure with no warning signs, especially in states like nj subject to winter conditions. This brake failure problem has been the subject of an investigation by the federal safety agency., but no recalls were issued. Owners of millions of gm vehicles are at serious risk of injury and death from this potentially fatal design flaw. Recall notices should be sent to owners and gm should pay for repairs in the interest of the safety of its customers. Http://trucks.about.com/b/2011/09/23/agencys-ongoing-investigation-of-gm-truck-brake-line-corrosion.htm.
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